Why are Sayong Pinang fishermen facing declining catches and income?

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Sayong Pinang Fishermen Face Declining Catches and Income Due to River Pollution and Sedimentation

Approximately 150 fishermen in Kota Tinggi, including those from Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang, are experiencing significantly reduced catches and income following a pollution incident in the Sungai Johor area last October. The primary cause identified is sediment entering Sungai Sayong Pinang, which has led to the river becoming shallow and has disrupted the local ecosystem. This has forced fishermen to travel further and endure longer fishing trips, drastically cutting into their earnings and making it difficult to cover basic expenses like fuel.
River Contamination from Sand Mining Operation Burst

The severe decline in fish catches is directly linked to the bursting of a bund at a land-based sand mining operation on October 31. This incident allowed a large volume of sediment to enter Sungai Sayong Pinang, a critical waterway for the local fishing community. The pollution event previously recorded an extremely high raw water turbidity level of 37,400 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and resulted in the death of over a tonne of fish, severely damaging the river's ecosystem.
Shallowing River Levels and Altered Fishing Grounds

The influx of sediment has caused Sungai Sayong Pinang to become shallow, with water levels now only reaching thigh height in some areas. This physical change has rendered traditional fishing grounds unproductive and forced fishermen to seek alternative locations. They are now compelled to travel to Sungai Linggiu and other upstream areas, a journey that can take two to three hours by boat, significantly increasing operational costs and time spent away from their usual fishing spots.
Uncompensated Losses and Diminished Earnings

Despite the severe impact on their livelihoods, affected fishermen have not received any compensation from the company believed to be responsible for the pollution. Fishermen report that their daily earnings have plummeted from as high as RM1,000 in the past to struggling to cover fuel costs, which amount to RM20-RM30 per trip. The introduction of fish fry into the river has not yet been sufficient to restore the ecosystem to its previous state, leaving the fishermen in a precarious financial situation with no immediate prospect of recovery.

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Why are Sayong Pinang fishermen facing declining catches and income?

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